3/9/18: Today’s Top Tips: Friday

MUSIC: Andrew Collins Trio @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. The mandolin master and seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner and his compatriots make their Caffe debut where folks will get a sneak peek of their upcoming double album (one vocal/one instrumental), aptly titled tongue and groove. 8pm. $20. GO HERE for more info…

MUSIC: Grant-Lee Phillips @ the Parlor Room, Northampton. From Shiva Burlesque through Grant Lee Buffalo and into his solo career, Phillips has remained a bold and unique singer-songwriter. With Philip Price of Winterpills opening. 7pm. $18.

MUSIC: The Zombies @ Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock. Hits singles? “Tell Her No,” “She’s Not There,” “Time of the Season.” Classic albums? Odessey and Oracle. Still led by keyboardist Rod Argent and singer Colin Blunstone.

MUSIC: Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ the Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield. Whether performing at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration, in Disney’s “The Lion King” or alongside Paul Simon on his album Graceland, the South African a cappella ensemble creates beautiful harmonies that have brought their unique sound to international prominence. The group earned its latest Grammy Award – their fifth – in January, taking home the Best World Music Album trophy for Shaka Zulu Revisited. 8pm. $30 & $45.

THEATER: “The Humans” @ Proctors, Schenectady. The 2016 Tony Award winner for Best Play, the angst, anguish and amity of the American middle class are first coaxed – then shoved – into the light in this uproarious, hopeful, and heartbreaking play that takes place over the course of a family dinner on Thanksgiving. The cast is led by Richard Thomas (“The Waltons”) and Pamela Reed (“Parks and Recreation”) with the entire creative team from the Broadway production, including Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello and including Tony Award-winning scenic designer David Zinn. 8pm. $20–$70. Through Sunday. GO HERE for more info…

MUSIC: Deb Cavanaugh @ Altamont Free Library, Altamont. The next in the series of SongTeller Sessions. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Smooky MarGielaa @ Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs. Teen rap star from the Bronx. 9pm. $25; VIP $60.

MUSIC: Hellkeeper @ the Low Beat, Albany. With Scavengers, Maggot Brain and Dirt Church. 8pm.

MUSIC: The Lustre Kings @ the Rustic Barn Pub, Troy. Guitarslinger Mark Gamsjager and pals rev up that authentic rockabilly sound. 8pm. $8,

MUSIC: Johnny Nicholas & Hellbent @ The Falcon, Marlboro. A-list under-the-radar Austin, Texas music. With Cindy Cashdollar spicing things up with her dobro and steel guitars. 8pm. Donations encouraged.

MUSIC: Kung Fu @ the Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Albany. With Wurliday. 9:30pm. $18.

MUSIC: Pete’s Posse @ Old Songs, Voorheesville. Vermont’s own trad-roots power trio features acclaimed musician Pete Sutherland (fiddle, piano, banjo, melodica, vocals), Oliver Scanlon (fiddle, viola, mandolin, foot percussion, vocals) and the uber-dynamic Tristan Henderson (guitars, mandolin, jaw harp, foot percussion and vocals). 7:30pm. $22; $5 for children 12 & under.

MUSIC: Soul Sky @ Colonie Center, Albany. 6pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Skip Parsons’ Riverboat Jazz Band @ The Fountain, Albany. Traditional New Orleans and Chicago-style jazz. Parsons is joined by Tim Coakley, drums; Rob Hunt, piano; Crick Diefendorf, banjo & vocals; Pete Toigo, bass; Richard Downs, cornet, vocals; and Ken Olsen on trombone. 10pm. Also at 9:30pm on Saturday.

MUSIC: Session Americana @ Colony, Woodstock. Boston music elite gather around the table. 8pm. $10.

THEATER: “Curtains” @ Schenectady Light Opera, Schenectady. Directed by Adam M. Coons, the musical mystery “whodunit” follows the story of a theater as they cope with a murder on opening night. Chaos and comedy ensue… 8pm. $22-$28. Through Sunday, March 18.

MUSIC: The Flurries @ the Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon. CD release party for the band’s sophomore album, Tail of the Comet. With The Costellos. 8:30pm. $15.

THEATER: “The Velocity of Autumn” @ Hubbard Hall, Cambridge. Christine Decker and Oliver Wadsworth star in David Snider’s comedy about what happens when life becomes too hard to handle. 7:30pm. Through Sunday, March 11. GO HERE to read review…

MUSIC: Erin Harkes @ Saratoga City Tavern, Saratoga Springs. 8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: No Victory @ Pauly’s Hotel, Albany. With Kharma, Invoke Thy Wrath and Concrete. 7pm. $5.

COMEDY: Roger Kabler @ the Rivers Casino & Resort’s Event Center, Schenectady. The comedian/impressionist presents his tribute to Robin Williams for this dinner show. With Marc Price (“Skippy” from “Family Ties”) and Mike Bova. 7pm. $25 includes a three-course dinner.

MUSIC: Brian Patneaude Trio @ Speakeasy 518, Albany. 9pm.

MUSIC: The Broken Hearts @ Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Troy. Tom Petty tribute band. 9pm. FREE.

THEATER: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” @ the Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes. Park Playhouse continues its 30th anniversary season with a production of the funny and touching Tony Award-winning musical by William Finn, Rachel Sheinkin and Rebecca Feldman about a group of elementary and middle school students who come together for the County’s 25th annual spelling competition to decide which student will be sent to the National Bee in Washington, DC. Directed by Producing Artistic Director Owen Smith. 8pm. $25; students 18 & under $15. Through Sunday.

MUSIC: The Williams Chamber Players @ Williams College’s Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, Williamstown. 8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Pat Andreoli @ the Stockade Inn, Schenectady. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: The Vinny Michaels Band @ Vapor, Saratoga Springs. 8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Snowy Roads @ the Eden Cafe, Loudonville. 7:30pm.

GO HERE for info regarding art gallery and museum exhibits…

Is there an event that we may have overlooked? Just add it in the comment box below…